SIGNS OF LIFE
A film review by Jeff Meyer
Copyright 1989 Jeff Meyer
[As some of you might know, the Seattle Film Festival finished about five months ago. Well, uh... I've been busy... -jm]
[Seen at the Seattle International Film Festival]
SIGNS OF LIFE (USA, 1989) Director: John David Coles Screenwriter: Mark Malone Cast: Arthur Kennedy, Kevin J. O'Conner, Vincent Philip D'Onofrio, Michael Lewis, Beau Bridges, Kate Reid, Mary Louise Parker
This is another American Playhouse production that has an almost trademarked style to it; I sometimes wonder if a film funded by the AP underwriters is required to have a setting in small-town or rural America. Its scope isn't exceptional: it examines the effects of closing a small boat-building firm in New England on its workers and their families and friends, and it takes the "weekend-in-the-life" approach of studying its characters in almost separate storylines. One of the workers wants to go to Florida to become a diver, but is hindered by having to care for his retarded brother; another wants to follow his friend on his diving expedition, but doesn't know how (or whether) to break up with his long-standing romantic relationship. The elderly owner of the company is desperately trying to drum up business for another boat in the town; meanwhile, he's having hallucinations of his dead father visiting him, trying to tell him something ... or are they hallucinations? And finally, Beau Bridges plays the company foreman, who is desperately trying to find work in the town to support his wife and >5 children.
The film takes a St. Elsewhere approach to its material: it's often funny and whimsical, but it seems as if disaster could be around the corner. The film is emotionally satisfying; it isn't hugely imaginative in its conclusion, but it didn't telegraph the ending at all, and worked nicely. The actors all give good performances, and carry off their roles well. (Several of them were also in MYSTIC PIZZA, and the almost-identical settings tends to merge the two in my memory.) The only exception is Bridges; his performance, and indeed his entire sub-plot, seems to have almost been scotch-taped on at the last minute.
Solid, enjoyable show; since it's an American Playhouse production, you'll probably be able to see it on PBS sometime next year.
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
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